Pindan walnut, Pindan quandong, Kalumburu almond
Terminalia cunninghamii
Family: Combretaceae
What it is like
A small tree which loses its leaves. It grows up to 6-8 m tall. The bark is light grey to brown and corky with cracks along its length. The small branches are thickened at the nodes where the leaves join. The leaves are light dull green. They are arranged in spirals and crowded together on short thick small branches. The leaf blade is leathery and of one colour. Leaves are sword shaped and blunt at the tip. They taper towards the base. They are 2.5-10 cm long by 1-4.5 cm wide. The flowers are small and white. They are gathered into spikes. The spikes can be 8 cm long. The fruit are large and tinged deep red-brown. They become bluish black when mature. They are oval to round with a distinct short beak. They can be 4 cm long by 3.5 cm wide. They are smooth and juicy. Inside there is a thick walled woody shell with a large kernel inside it. The shell can be 2-3 cm across. The kernel is edible.
There are about 200-250 Terminalia species. They are tropical.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It occurs in northwest Western Australia in Australia. It is mostly on coastal plains. It is mostly on sandy soils.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The seed kernel is eaten raw.
The seed is a valued food.
Edible parts
Seeds, nuts
How it is grown
Plants flower and fruit August to October in Australia.